2013? Bring it on!

Where to start? I normally don't bother with resolutions; they get bent and broken so easily.Instead I'm going for hopes and aspirations, after last year being a bit of a big cock up, it'll be interesting to see how these pan out. A new, fresh start:

1. I'm going to support my Mum and watch her kick the big "C"'s arse. We're half way there but she has still got a long time to go. I know I cannot cure it, but a positive attitude and help when I can is a must. As with most people, we're close to our parents. Mum and I created a strong bond over the time I was ill. Fighting all the way, and I'll be there with her.

2. Learn new things and have different experiences. (Without being alcoholically challenged!) Perhaps finally learn an instrument, or go back to playing the piano and develop my skills. Go back to learning another language. It's been too long since I've done something practical, I enjoy learning and I should utilise this further. I now have the time, rather than watching films, or sitting in the pub I will make sure that I will be proactive with expanding my horizons. (Admittedly signing up to a 200 mile bike ride was a little bit of a crazy moment, but that will be.... Interesting, a challenge??)

3. Keep my head down and work hard. I have a new job starting soon, it's a chance for a whole new career and life. So many options from it.. Thou shalt not cock it up. I want my own place and to prove things can be accomplished on my own.

4. Support Herne Bay in any way, shape or form that I can do and not just on a Council level. So many events to plan that are all just going to get bigger and better as the year goes on. I'm looking forward to my 2nd year in the BayPromoTeam. They've become a second family, They are all crazy in their own ways but what we've managed to accomplish is totally amazing, long may that continue (and Gerald's amazing costumes!)

5. Dive the US Thistlegorm. I've been to Egypt god knows how many times, I miss out. This isn't a hope, this is happening.  My idol Jacques Cousteau discovered it, I need to do this wreck. I'm back to Egypt on my own this time. I'm quite excited about this. The Thistlegorm is a war grave, a very sad wreck from 1941, but it's probably one of the most interesting wrecks ever. Full cargo.

6. Last and final one, to learn to be happy for myself and myself alone. This is going to be the hardest one, but against 6 months ago, there's no comparison as to what I feel about my life. I just must look to the next 6 months and see what I can accomplish. As Mr Shakespeare once said, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women are merely players". Time for me to take a main role.

To the family, friends and crazies who seem to like hanging about with me, thank you for everything. XX

Life, 2013, bring it on. I'm ready and waiting! Just let me get out of bed and over this damn hangover first...

Setting the record straight

For anyone and everyone who knows me, you know I'm a Councillor. A Conservative Councillor. A Tory Councillor. A Blue Councillor. I could go on with this list, but the tagline starts getting a big more derogatory towards me, which I'm used to but I don't want to encourage it.

I've had my politics and values questioned recently. Admittedly, I question them myself all the time. I sometimes wonder why I do it but then I remember the bigger picture. I enjoy what I do. I like helping people, or trying to help people. I get passionate about what goes on locally. 

What has saddened me, is that I've discovered that recently I've been branded something that I'm not. When you put yourself in the limelight, you know you're bound to get a bit of negativity, especially if it's something so divisive as politics. But as much as I sit on the Conservative bench, I have never once claimed to be a "party politics" type of Councillor. I  involved myself in Council because I wanted to help the town that I know and love. I've never had a political agenda, or an aspiration past trying to get the right things for my area, and trying to help people with problems that need solving. To be completely honest, I'm quite happy to sit here on the back bench so long as I can have my say and represent the right views for the town and district. If I have an answer, I will give it. If I don't have an answer, I will get research the right information and get one.

I live and breathe Herne Bay. I was born here, and I've always tried to put everything I can back into the town. I've been doing that for years, and even after my time as a Councillor, I still will. 

Take what you want for my title, blast me all you like. I know I'm doing the right thing. 

Respect where respect is due.

It's been a while, again. I haven't really had anything much to talk about if I'm honest. Work has kept me under the radar. It's all been a bit doom and gloom, and let's face it, the weather hasn't helped!


I wasn't going to blog the doom and gloom part, but I felt, out of respect I should least write a little note:


Sadly, both Canterbury and Thanet Councils have lost some dear lovely Councillors recently. The late Brian Goodwin passed away back in May (One of my favourite Councillors to have ever worked with) and left a gaping hole in TDC. A quick on-the-trot by election followed. This was a double edged sword for me, because not only was I mourning the loss of a friend and colleague ... I was dropped into the deep end, fighting a By Election. Which we lost, by the way. Not by far, and not because we didn't try. Our candidate James was awesome but it just wasn't ours to keep. C'est la Vie. We didn't win the battle but doesn't mean we won't win the war... I can almost feel Brian putting a hand on my shoulder and saying "S'alright Pet" which is a small comfort I guess.


Margaret Sheldrick, formerly a Councillor for Birchington and Chairman of TDC lost her battle with the big C a few weeks ago. She moved to Cyprus back in November and her presence has been missed ever since. She used to pop in to the office for a catch up and chat away about the most random of subjects and catch up on the political gossip. She taught me a lot on how to work with Councillors (Not saying for an instant that they can be difficult, no, never!!) For such a tiny little woman she had so much power and strength, I was told she fought the cancer to the very end. I couldn't see it any other way really.


Then of course, the sad tidings of Hazel McCabe last week. This wonderful lady was the spirit of the Council, having stood for Blean since 1973! I'd only got to known Hazel a little in the past year, but what I saw of her, I couldn't help but love. She was so passionate about what she believed in. I always respect and admire someone who fights for her ideals. It was Full Council last night, and it was lovely to see so many people come to pay their respects, no matter what their political background. So, By Election to follow in Blean shortly. On the brighter side, this is not my patch for work so I do not get dropped in the deep end. However, I'm sure I'll be helping in some way or other.


It's funny how people can mould and shape your life. Each of these lovely people were not necessarily close to me, but all had a significant impact on my life and views in the last few years. Each of them taught me different ways of looking at things, and their insight into life and living was invaluable. 


You will be missed.

BayPromoTeam.. Doing what we do best.

We've been hard at work in and around the Bay with an aim to promote the town to it's full potential. We're a collective team of like minded individuals (NO POLITICS, ahem. ) who all are aiming for the same thing.. the progress and promotion of Herne Bay.

For starters, Project Palm Tree has really taken off, we've had numerous press releases and are making great steps with the Council. Hopefully by 2013 we'll be able to have the Herne Bay Riviera in place. The guys have been squirreling away, behind the scenes trying to get permissions for this to work. Cannot wait to see the results!

In other news, we've started up an awards scheme for the town. The first "Flagship Business Award" going to Abi Calder of the Activity Box (Mortimer Street). We'll be doing a presentation with a trophy this afternoon.

You can find more about the wonderful little shop by going here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Activity-Box/131056393633133 I highly recommend it. Wonderful fun for all the family.

See.. Just shows you what a little positive attitude can accomplish. Looking forward to the Herne Bay Festivities once the Summer (weather) commences! Not to mention I best start sorting out my Carnival Costume for this year... Just wait till you see what we have lined up!!

If you haven't all ready done so. Check out our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/baypromoteam and add add add! We have all the latest news and happenings and not to mention we now even have a mobile app!

Herne Bay Expo - Come one and all

There's nothing I can say.. So watch this instead!

Annual Projects and Business Exhibition

Celebrate Herne Bay at the Community, Projects & Business Open Day 2012

Visit the Community, Projects & Business Open Day on Wednesday 21 March from 2pm - 7pm at the Kings Hall, Herne Bay.                                                                   

It's an opportunity to engage with many local businesses and get an update on the great progress made on Herne Bay’s regeneration and community projects over the last 12 months, as well as seeing some exciting plans for the future. You will also be able to have a closer look at some of the services offered by the city council.

City councillors and project officers will be available to answer your questions and provide more information about the projects featured.

Some of the stands you can expect to see include: 

• QE2 Jubilee Park application
• The future options for Herne Bay Pier
• The seafront improvement plan
• The plans to refurbish the world renowned clock tower
• Bay Card – the loyalty card for Herne Bay
• Herne Bay Festival 2012
• Herne Bay Museum
• Play Provider Network
• Herne Bay in Bloom
• Bay Arena and Herons Leisure Centre

Please put this date in your diary and tell your colleagues, friends and neighbours - everyone is welcome to come along and help celebrate the good things that are happening in Herne Bay.

For further information please contact Patrick Rynne on 01227 862329 or Angela Furlong on 01227 862400.

On a Serious Note... Manston Night Flights

Any suggestion of Manston Night Flights remind me of an old horror flick; it gives me a shiver down the spine and makes me want to run and hide under my duvet till it's all over. ----------->


It's the question I always dread being asked. I'm very sure of my answer; it's just not always what people want to hear. 

Every so often I get attacked with this; normally when completely off my guard, casually chatting away and it gets snuck in...... "What are your thoughts on Manston expanding, what are your views on night flights Jen??" BOOM.. straight into Politico mode. (Which to the apathetic; is NOT "lying through my back teeth" but genuine want to answer mode). To me these are two completely different questions, to which I answer seperately:


1. Manston Expanding = Wonderful! If it ever does happen, I will be fully behind it. I've lived next to the airport my whole life and never once have been bothered at the thought of it becoming a fully operational passenger affair. I welcome the day when a decent company would like to come in and spread a little economical magic in Thanet, What with the Gateway, fast train services, hotels and now the lovely bypass this is long overdue.


On a different note, I was lucky to visit the opening of the Equine Transport Facility last week with Lady Gale (name drop!!)  and was bowled over at just how above and beyond fantastic the facility is. Polo and Eventing horses from around the world will now be ferried in through a very top class base. The stables are high quality and no doubt they will see a lot of business throughout the Olympic year.  My love of all things horsey got me quite excited, especially when they used two local carriage horses at the official opening. Jen in horsey heaven. Anyway.. I digress, back to the important stuffs...


2. Manston Night Flights: No.. no.. No.. and NO! I am completely against this.


On a personal level, being woken up at 1am with a low flying blunderbuss shaking everything my apartment does not appeal. I have had the pleasure of this experience a few times with "emergency" landings. No sleep and lots of noise make a very grumpy Jen. 


Night flights are not wanted or needed, I find it very hard to believe that the few cargo flights a night being suggested could have such a positive effect on the local economy. Not that Manston is in any way comparable to the "big 4" but, none of the larger airports of the South have night flights, so why should we?? Everyone else managed to schedule their flights in the daytime.. Why is Manston different? If there was solid evidence that this proposal would really benefit us locally, then perhaps I would take a different view but until then my mind is set.


From what I can gather, the general consensus amongst the Canterbury City Councillors is about the same level as my own pondering. I would not like to speak for all, but certainly this is the vibe I receive back from most. I think I might well just direct people to this blog post in future.. would save time but I guess would take out the fun part of getting people's feedback...!

Not so Hernia Bay?

Kudos to Mr Gerald McCarthy of Herne Bay..


He's been a very busy boy. After all ready successfully pulling off the First Official Herne Bay Zombie Crawl of 2011, he's all ready planning the 2012 route and has some even bigger and wilder plans! (I will obviously blog on this subject at a later date..  but very excited to be involved!)

In his spare time he's created this wonderful promo video for the town..It's been such a hit I've heard that the Council all ready want to use it in official promotion for the Summer. I love it; it just shows how perception can change with the right attitude.









It's wonderful to see that there are Bay residents who are so passionate about the town that they want to get involved. It's the positive things that got me involved with the town in the first place. I've always taken the attitude: if you can get involved locally and actually make a difference.. it makes every bit of effort worth it.


I always find it amazing that so many are so happy to snipe and moan when the town doesn't get enough positive coverage. The amount of names I've heard the Bay called over the years still astounds me, especially as I absolutely love living here. The sea, the fresh air, local business... What more could one want? I did the London life and I still ended up back at my favourite seaside residence.


It also astounds me furthermore that the people who are behind the negative comments never seem to want to get positively involved in perhaps changing the perception.


Well done Gerry, hopefully this will conjure more positive thinking and I look forward to working with you in the future!




NB: You can follow the progress of the 2012 Zombie Crawl on twitter: @hbzombiecrawl or look it up on Facebook!